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Quiet trade deadline expected for Toronto Maple Leafs

Lackluster effort against Blue Jackets more proof Toronto is no Stanley Cup contender

Toronto Maple Leafs head coach Randy Carlyle stands on the bench during his team's 2-1 loss to Columbus Blue Jackets in NHL hockey action in Toronto on Monday March 3, 2014. Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

TORONTO — Less than 48 hours before the trade deadline, these appear to be your Toronto Maple Leafs.

They are the fifth-best team in a watered-down Eastern Conference. They score a lot of goals, but still give up too many shots. They struggle to protect leads. They rely too much on their top line and goaltenders and special teams. They might be a playoff team, but they are not a Stanley Cup contender.

And, barring a last-minute development, that is not about to change.

The roster that turned in a lackluster effort in a 2-1 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday night will likely be the same roster you see after the March 5 trade deadline. Yes, Dave Bolland will be activated off long-term injury at some point. But, according to vice-president of hockey operations Dave Poulin, the Leafs are not in the rental market.

“It’s got to be a hockey move,” Poulin said of the trade deadline. “Only a move that says, ‘This is a player we like. He’s available now. He can help our team for the long term.’ ”

“We’re not going to pay a high price because someone else paid a high price.”

Part of this is cap related. Unlike last season, when the Leafs added depth defenceman Ryan O’Byrne in exchange for a fourth-round pick at the deadline, the team can only add a piece if it takes away a piece. Those moves are difficult to come by.

The other part is that the Leafs don’t necessarily need Thomas Vanek, Matt Moulson or any of the rental players available. This is not a team that is one piece from challenging for a championship. Rather, Poulin said Toronto is “in an advanced development” phase. The Leafs, who have one of the youngest teams in the NHL, got a taste of the playoffs last year. Now, management wants to see how Nazem Kadri, Jake Gardiner and Morgan Rielly handle another a playoff run and then make decisions in the summer.

“We’ve been in the playoffs, but we have more steps to take,” said Poulin. “But who doesn’t have steps to take right now?”

Prior to the Olympic break, the Leafs were on an 11-2-1 run. Since then, it seems like they have taken steps back. After stealing an overtime point in each of their two previous games, the Leafs’ bad defensive habits eventually caught up to them against Columbus.

James Reimer, who made his first start since Jan. 25, was not to blame for the loss. He was perfect on all eight shots he faced in the first period, which included a breakaway save on Nick Foligno. But in the second period, the quality of shots became too much.

A screened point shot from Dalton Prout gave Columbus a 1-0 lead. Three minutes later, Reimer’s defence let him down again with the Blue Jackets controlling possession and passing the puck around the offensive zone as though they were on an extended power play. Eventually, Artem Anisimov converted a backdoor pass at the side of the net to extend the lead to 2-0.

With 4:15 remaining in the third period, Mason Raymond stepped into a loose puck and blasted it into the top corner to cut Columbus’ lead in half, but it was a last gasp from a team on its heels for most of the game and might be in need of a deadline move. And while a top-two defenceman is at the top of Toronto’s wish list, the team might have to settle for a third-line centre.

That is how the Leafs are treating the anticipated return of Bolland, who could be back in the lineup as early as Wednesday and similar to a rental player as he is without a contract at the end of the season.

“You can get a good price for a UFA player,” Poulin said of the market for Bolland. “But if you’re making the playoffs, he’s essentially free to you. Yes, you stand to lose him in the off-season, but most rentals you stand to lose.”